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Below are some topics to jump start your own ideas of what you could write about in your area of expertise. Before writing the article, please query the editor (editor@monitoringtimes.com) as to whether the topic is still available/needed and if there is a deadline.
Thanks to Assistant Editor Larry Van Horn for compiling this excellent list! Please consult the Writers Guidelines for style and typical payment - Rachel Baughn, editor
Amateur Radio (preferably a March 2009 deadline)
- How to Monitor/work the HAMSATs
How to work the digital HAMSATs
How to Work the High Flying AMSAT FM repeaters (HAMSATS)
Indoor antennas for the ham
Indoor antennas for the scanner enthusiast
Indoor antennas for the HF listener
Wire antennas for hams
Skywarn - Basics of severe weather spotting
Participating in ham contest - the basics
Participating in field day - the basics
How to become a ham DXer - for the ham and radio listener
How to become a better QSler
How to earn some wall papers for the shack, primer on ham awards
Working the magic band - 6 meters, props, beacons etc
Combating RFI in the shack
Beginners guide to VHF operation
How to communicate on a ham repeater
How to get started on APRS
How to study for and pass your ham license
Public safety comms in Dayton, Ohio (for the Dayton Hamfest)
Beginners guide to working/monitoring special event stations
Working/monitoring the International Space Station
How to conduct moonbounce operations - new digital techniques, equipment etc
Computer operating aids for the ham
Wonderful world of ham radio - overview of the things you can do on the ham bands
Broadcasting
- Station profiles with current schedules, programming and audio stream opportunities
Shortwave listening for the beginner
The Toughest Top Ten to hear on shortwave
DXing the globe in 24 hours
DXing the OPEC nations
Where are the shortwave broadcast bands?
Pirate radio broadcast and holiday monitoring
DXing the Tropical Bands
Beginners guide to AM DXing
Beginners guide to FM DXing
Internet Guide to Shortwave Radio Station audio streams
Antennas
- How to construct low band scanning antennas (Jan 1987)
Wire antennas for the HF listener
Multiband antennas
Antennas for the WARC bands
Any and all antenna projects (look at reprinting past projects)
Primer on SWR issues
Tuners and antennas, receive and transmit
Portable antennas for the monitor
Mobile antennas for the monitor
Stacking antennas - do's and don'ts, what do you really get
Active antennas - what is available, their uses and comparisons
How to design your own antenna and software you can use to for it
Antenna matching - an introduction
Technical
- DXing - Portables vs Tabletops
How to computer control your radio
Receiving preamps - do we need them and what is available.
General article on using computers in the radio hobby today
Noise, noise, noise - curing noise and other unwanted issues in radio monitoring
Simple how to articles on propagation (Signal props and the Ionosphere, meteor skip, e-skip etc)
Using the computer sound card in radio monitoring
Tools and gadgets for the work bench
Today's receivers - best buys
Scanners - best buys
Lightning protection for the radio hobbyist
Using solar power in the shack
Natural power supplies
Green solutions for radio monitoring
Constructing a crystal radio
Recognizing electronic connectors and their uses/downsides
Accessories for the shortwave listener
Software Defined radios - what's available
Ins and outs of interference filters
Notch filters - what are they and their uses
How to identify and cure power line interference
Scanning
- How to monitor ACARS
How to monitor weather satellites
Low Band Scanning - Preparing for the next Sunspot Maximum
Monitoring Wireless Mikes
Monitoring auto races (taking your scanner to a NASCAR Indy Formula One, etc)
Monitoring during severe weather
DXing NOAA weather radio stations
Software for the scanner buff
Digital trunking system basics for the scanner monitor
How to monitoring the civilian aero bands
How to monitor the military aircraft bands
Scanning and monitoring in Canada, guide for the beginner
Scanning sports events
Monitoring Military MOAs
Know your antennas-determining the band your agency uses from the antennas they use
Programming today's scanners, tips on how and what to do
Primer on trunk radio basics
Scanning 101 - beginners guide to the scanning hobby
Monitoring the ARINC VHF network.
CTCSS DCS and NAC - what are they and how can I use them in scanning?
HF Radio
- Beginners Guide to ALE monitoring
Monitoring the HF Aeronautical Bands
Monitoring the HF Marine Bands
Monitoring the US Coast Guard
Monitoring HF Diplomatic Networks
Monitoring Ships of the NOAA Fleet
Monitoring the Unknown signals on the HF Utility Bands
Monitoring OTHR signals
Monitoring HF beacons
How to monitor the GMDSS
How to monitor the aero HFDL stations
Monitoring the US Government on HF
Monitoring RTTY and FAX on HF what is really left to hear.
Monitoring number stations, what can be heard today
Monitoring the VOLMETS
DXing at sunspot minimum, what can you really hear.
Summertime DXing
Monitoring the Canadian Coast Guard
Time and Frequency standard stations worldwide
DXing the utility bands - country guide to stations on the HF ute bands
Longwave
- Monitoring LOWFERS
Monitoring NDBs
Monitoring Dif GPS stations
Monitoring Overseas LW broadcasters
Tuning in on mother earth, natural radio signals
Antennas for the Longwave enthusiast
Beginners guide to the lowbands
DXing the Traveler Information Service stations
Monitoring digital modes in the LW spectrum
General articles
- Monitoring and the Law - what is out there today that impacts the hobby?
How to create your own QSL card
How to make a reception report
Electronic QSLing
24 hour time and other time topics for the radio listener
Radio in the classroom - where do we stand and what can we do to get it in there?
Setting up a radio exhibit at your local library
Reworking our spectrum guides (aka service search) for today's spectrum
Hazards of the hobby, safety in the radio shack.
Accessories you can use in the shack to improve reception.
Shack logbooks - manual and electronic
Pricing used receivers, scanners and accessories
Monitoring the Mississippi River marine communications
Buying your first receiver, what to look for
Getting ready for severe weather - selecting the right weather radio receiver (include primer on SAME decoding)
Beginners guide to building a radio hobby library
Using Internet search engines and the radio hobby
What are International Q and Z codes
MFJ - Hidden gems in their catalog for the radio hobbyist
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